Wordplay: The Philosophy, Art, and Science of Ambigrams (Paperback)

by John Langdon (Author)
Key Phrases: yang symbol, Big Bang, Dan Brown

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Take a second look at the cover of this book—this time, turn it upside down. The title, Wordplay, is an ambigram, which means you will be able to read it both right side up and upside down.

You may be familiar with the John Langdon’s ambigrams from Dan Brown’s bestseller Angels & Demons (see pages 186 and 188 of Wordplay), but if this is your first experience with the art of the ambigram, prepare to be dazzled! This lovely updated edition of the classic collection of ambigrams features a section of full-color ambigrams and dozens of stunning, mind-bending examples of this cryptic art form. Each strikingly beautiful and arresting illustration is accompanied by a short essay—sometimes serious, sometimes witty—to delight your brain as much as your eyes. Taken together, the art and the essays show how the very shape of letters can change our idea of words and their meanings. As Dan Brown says in the Foreword of this revised edition, John Langdon brilliantly rearranges the familiar, casting it in a new light.

Both playful and profound, Wordplay will challenge you to take a second look at your world.

About the Author
Graphic designer JOHN LANGDON has won numerous awards for his logo designs; his ambigrams have appeared in countless publications; and the first museum show of his paintings was held in late 2004  at the Noyes Museum of Art in New Jersey.He is the creator of the ambigrams in Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons. Langdon teaches at the College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University, and lives in Philadelphia.
 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (November 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767920759
• ISBN-13: 978-0767920759
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #413,793 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ambigrams are Fun, November 17, 2006

By	E. Cheng "manga enthusiast" (Syosset, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It should be noted that the text "wordplay" on the cover of the book is itself an ambigram. Turn it upside-down and it will read the same as right-side-up. You'll find dozens of examples of ambigrams that the author has patiently created.

I've always had an interest in calligraphy and different typefaces. John Langdon's Wordplay allows the reader to look at this from a different point of view, and brings insight into how he goes about creating his intriguing ambigrams. It should appeal to the type of person who likes visual riddles or illusions. I first learned about the author's work through Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, which features several of Langdon's ambigrams. I'm glad I purchased the book and love looking through it. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book about anything and everything ambigrams, January 27, 2009

By	Matthew R. Sarmiento "Matthew Sarmiento" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book not only for the art & science behind ambigrams, but also to get ideas for a possible tattoo. It gave me a lot of inspiration to even create my own ambigram.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ambigrasm!, February 23, 2008

By	C. MACHIDA "book peruser" (Orange, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I showed the cover of this book to my roommate, she started having a hard time focusing and felt dizzy. As she opened the book up and started to puzzle out all the letterforms and artistic fonts, she went into an almost trance like state. She was mesmerized for the next 2 hours as she devoured this book from cover to cover.

After seeing Scott Kim's "Inversions" (as a result from reading "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown), I became an instant fan of ambigrams. I wanted to pick up anything I could about the unique artform. This book completed my collection.

This book is great for anyone interested in the artistic aspect of letters and the english letterform. Tatoo artists, students, graphic art designers, graffiti artists, kids all love this book. It makes a great coffee table book and is great to stir discussion at an informal get together.

Buy this book not for the words you just read, but for the words you've yet to experience through the hands of John Langdon.